I would call the personnel dept or dept secretary - this way you can find out about your application without losing face with the potential employers. Although if you already have a rapport with one of them I would email direct and say you were wondering when they are likely to make their decision. Shows you are keen without being pushy!

Sending good luck vibes to Cardiff now!!!!

my suggestion would be to write this all down in an email and say something like "just so it is clear in my mind". And then get him to specify what he specifically wants you to specify...

Sometimes supervisors need to be managed - not because they don't care, but because they have a zillion things on their plate. I would keep in regular contact via email or whatever works for you. This way you learn how they work and they know you are on top of things. Honesty is the best policy - so get him specifying! Good luck.

I know it is hard but do not be put off by the one, two, three or four know-it-alls who like to assert themselves by subjecting PhD students to a barrage of nonsensical questions. They want people to hear them and if they are unreasonable most people sitting in the room will see what they are doing and definitely not think it is big or clever. I would do the presentation. Remember even in the 1st year nobody knows more about your work than you do. Stick to general background, questions of methodology and ask for advice on future directions. I am almost finished and I am still wary about presenting my substantive findings - not sure you know what you have found until you send the damn thing off to the binders. I would go for it and ignore the idiots who have to put people down to get heard!

I agree with DanB - don't panic! If anything they have done you a massive favour. They have engaged with your research and project proposal. They have suggested and agreed a course of action. And set a realistic deadline. I would take the weekend off, come back to this on Monday and feel really positive. They know what you are about and you know they know! Brilliant position to be in. Now don't lose the momentum by dwelling - just think this is a winning situation.

Working from home I always break for lunch at 1.30 so I have time to make a sandwich before neighbours - sad but true!

what is your subject area? If social sciences, chances are she means go and have a look at the popular press in your area - an excuse to go to WH SMith or Borders if you ask me!

I would love to hand in before Xmas but I know it won't happen. I am working hard at the moment but there is so much still to do - including some serious textual analysis for a 5000 word section of my third chapter. That said I think it is coming together, just not fast enough. Am trying to finish first of three sections of my lit review today - but slow progress. and a reading list as long as my arm to track down when i re-draft!

WritingUp - I have been told by my supervisor that I could complete before January - but I envision taking until March, what with all the stuff I still have left to do. It is crazy. But I have been told by friends who have completed that one day it suddenly all comes together and you have a thesis ready to submit. Good luck - can you tell me what sorts of things they have told you, you need to do to get it ready to submit?

that banana comment is similar to something somebody said to me about the microphone I was using to interview them with - he said "does that have different speeds" - dirty old perve!

mine isn't quite the same although it was rude to me:

Just come back from an international conference where I presented a paper - my supervisor saw me present. In the supervision meeting back in England: "Oh, were you at that conference?" Answer: "Yes, you saw me present". Reply: "Oh yes, sorry I had you confused with my other student" - of course you did!

I found that my supervisor never really realised that I need my confidence boosting every once in a while. Then one day I turned around and said "I need some affirmation that what I am doing is right" - and he said "sure it is" - So I would suggest having a word with them about it. They are only human and negative (as opposed to constructively critical) comments will get you and them nowhere.

I am about to finish my PhD and it is only now that I am having to press pause on my social life. I think a PhD is meant to be fun and as such continue doing whatever makes you happy. Don't be too hard on yourselves - in terms of pressure and workload and don't let your supervisors be too hard on you either. You wouldn't put up with a bully in the workplace so don't while you are doing your PhD. Okay, pressure can be useful but don't apply it at the expense of your life, friends/family or health.

SixKitten - I know exactly how you feel. Don't worry. Truth is if you aren't ready for a meeting don't have one! PhDs take time - don't think for a second this means you don't have what it takes. It is just another one of those steep inclines on the PhD learning curve. I am sure others will agree. Try not to beat yourself up. Better to cancel a meeting and then make the next one really productive. Good luck!

Unfortunately, conferences - unless postgraduate - usually cost! If you have funding from a research council there is usually a pot of money for you to draw on. Otherwise I think it is a case of doing what you are doing - emailing and seeing if there is a way to go for free. Networking - or rather schmoozing - is particularly important in the first year. Finding your niche and marking out the territory for the next three years. However I wouldn't rush into going to expensive conferences early on - I would wait until you have some research under your belt and then attend as a presenter. Good luck. Oh to be a first year again!